TCD assessment in fulminant hepatic failure: Improvements in cerebral autoregulation after liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Acute liver failure, also known as fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), includes a spectrum of clinical entities characterized by acute liver injury, severe hepatocellular dysfunction and hepatic encephalopathy. The objective of this study was to assess cerebral autoregulation (CA) in 25 patients (19 female) with FHF and to follow up with seventeen of these patients before and after liver transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The mean age was 33.8 years (range 14-56, SD 13.1 years). Cerebral hemodynamics was assessed by transcranial Doppler (TCD) bilateral recordings of cerebral blood velocity (CBv) in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA). RESULTS: CA was assessed based on the static CA index (SCAI), reflecting the effects of a 20-30 mmHg increase in mean arterial blood pressure on CBv induced with norepinephrine infusion. SCAI was estimated at four time points: pretransplant and on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd posttransplant days, showing a significant difference between pre- and posttransplant SCAI (p = 0.005). SCAI peaked on the third posttransplant day (p = 0.006). Categorical analysis of SCAI showed that for most patients, CA was reestablished on the second day posttransplant (SCAI > 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CA impairment pretransplant and on the 1st day posttransplant was re-established at 48-72 h after transplantation. These findings can help to improve the management of this patient group during these specific phases, thereby avoiding neurological complications, such as brain swelling and intracranial hypertension.

Association between Religiousness and Quality of Life among Patients in Brazil diagnosed with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease.

The importance of religiousness in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) has been the subject of conflicting research. The impact of religiousness on quality of life and depressive symptoms has also been poorly studied in this population. This study investigated the correlation between religiousness and quality of life in patients with IPD. We evaluated 37 patients with IPD (according to the criteria of the Movement Disorders Society) who were from an outpatient clinic specializing in movement disorders in Brazil. We assessed the patients using the Duke University Religion Index and scales for motor impairment, cognition, quality of life, and depression. Spearman's test was used to check for possible correlations between the different dimensions of religiousness and the clinical variables analyzed. Patients with a worse quality of life and more depressive symptoms showed greater intrinsic religiousness.

Association of Parental Support with Reduced Stereotypy in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: To analyze the influence of parental presence and use of risperidone on social interaction and apathy among patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study in a reference center for patients with ASD in a city in northeastern Brazil. The research was carried out using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Dimensional Apathy Scale, and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) with the domains of social interaction, language, stereotypy, and communication. The referred questionnaire was answered by the parents or guardians of the children with ASD according to the DSM V criteria. Data were analyzed via independent t-test using the SPSS software version 20. Results: Interviews were conducted with 51 parents/guardians of autistic children with a mean age of 8.8 years (±2.95) and a predominance of males, 34 (66.7%). Of this total, 49 (96.1%) of the children attended school; 40 (78.4%) children were on medication, of which 38 (74.5%) were on risperidone. Those children on risperidone had a higher score on the SCQ scale (p = 0.049) and on the domain of stereotyped behaviors (p = 0.033), which indicated greater impairment. Another statistically relevant variable was the presence of married parents, whereby children who did not have the presence of married parents had a higher average of stereotyped behaviors compared to those who had married parents. Conclusions: The results showed differences in the means of social interactions for children on risperidone, especially regarding stereotyped behaviors. However, it is not possible to state whether this difference was due to the use of risperidone or whether they used risperidone precisely because of these behaviors. Also important was that children who had the presence of married parents showed fewer stereotyped behaviors. There was no difference in apathetic behavior between children.

Efficacy and adverse event profile of cannabidiol and medicinal cannabis for treatment-resistant epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

This paper aimed to systematically examine the efficacy and adverse event (AE) profile of cannabidiol and medicinal cannabis by analyzing qualitative and meta-analytic data. We used the terms ("Cannabidiol" OR "Cannabis") AND "Epilepsy" AND ("Treatment" OR "Therapeutics") as keywords to retrieve studies indexed on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and CENTRAL databases. The inclusion criteria were as follows: clinical studies with a longitudinal observational design and intervention using cannabinoid derivatives, especially cannabidiol and medicinal cannabis, whereby some results involved the frequency of epileptic seizures. We used Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager software (RevMan 5.1.6) for the meta-analysis and dichotomized the articles to a confidence interval of 95%. From 236 articles, we selected 16 for descriptive analysis; we selected only 4 for the meta-analysis. According to the results, a statistically meaningful effect of cannabidiol compared with placebo was observed (p < 0.00001). When comparing treatment with cannabidiol or medicinal cannabis, significance was not found for the AE profile (p = 0.74). As AEs for cannabidiol were more common under short-term than under long-term treatment (p < 0.00001), this approach was favorable in the long term. Furthermore, cannabidiol is more effective than placebo, regardless of the etiology of epileptic syndromes and dosage. Overall, the AE profile did not differ across treatments with cannabidiol or medicinal cannabis, though it did differ favorably for long-term than for short-term treatment.

Pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis associated with the use of natalizumab in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Natalizumab (NTZ) is a monoclonal antibody with an immunosuppressive effect that reduces the inflammation of the central nervous system, and it has been used for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In patients with low cellular immune response, systemic mycosis arising from endemic areas may occur. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In this article, we will describe a case of paracoccidioidomycosis as a complication to treatment with NTZ in an RRMS patient.

Modified Pfeffer Questionnaire for Functional Assessment in Parkinson Disease.

INTRODUCTION: It was proposed to modify the Pfeffer questionnaire (PQ) for functional assessment in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). AIM: To determine the cutoff score for diagnosis of functional impairment in patients with PD by modified PQ (mPQ). METHODS: A total of 110 patients with PD were enrolled into the study, and a neuropsychological test battery was performed to assess their cognitive status. Regarding functional assessment, the mPQ has been applied, and their results were compared to the functional assessment by Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly adapted for use in Brazil (IQCODE-BR). The statistical analysis was accomplished through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with evaluation of the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity of the new cutoff point. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients with PD were evaluated with a mean age of 63.69 ± 9.14 years. Cognitive status categorization was 28.10% as normal, 44.94% as mild cognitive impairment, and 26.96% of patients as dementia associated with PD. The average score on PQ was 3.49 ± 4.79 and on the mPQ 2.56 ± 3.49. In IQCODE-BR, the average score was 6.75 ± 32.72. The ROC curve for the new cutoff point presented 47.4% sensitivity, 88.10% specificity, and 0.757 of area under the curve, with a standard deviation of 0.055 (95% confidence interval: 0.650-0.864). CONCLUSION: 3.5 is proposed as the cutoff point to define functional impairment in patients with PD by mPQ.

Cognitive Health and Differential Cortical Functioning in Dissociative Trance: An Explorative Study About Mediumship.

Aim: To evaluate the cognitive functioning of subjects practicing trance mediumship in Brazil. Method: The study was based on the measurement of cognitive functions of 19 spirits mediums through neuropsychological tests such as the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB), the Verbal Fluency Test (FAS), the digit span test, the cube test, the five digit test (FDT) and an evaluation of mental health through scales such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ), and the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ). The sample included the participation of spirit mediums divided into two groups. The more experienced group (MEG) with 11 subjects had more than 10 years of mediumistic practice, while the other less experienced group (LEG) with 8 subjects had 1-5 years of experience. The inclusion criteria were psychophonic mediums (who have the ability to communication when deceased beings communicate directly via speaking) with regular trance practices for at least one year. The data collected were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. Results: Regarding performance on the BCSB and digit span test, all subjects reached scores at the median or higher in comparison to standardized scores of Brazilians. Scores of 90% on the cube test and 42% on the FAS were reached in comparison to median or higher values, versus the median of standardized scores among Brazilians. On the FDT, we found statistical significance (p = 0.038) in the choice stage, with higher performance of subjects whose initial age of trance recognition occurred before 21 years old. On the BDI scale, no participant met the criteria for major depression. The SRQ showed an incidence of common mental disorders in 21% of the sample, which was more prevalent in the LEG (p = 0.008). Conclusion: The cognitive functioning of subjects who practice trance mediumship in Brazil is associated with cognitive health. Executive dysfunction may be a tendency in LEG. However, an incidence of common mental disorders in the LEG was observed. Executive processing was higher in the subgroup with early practices of recognizing the phenomenon.

Combined assessment by transcranial sonography and Sniffin' Sticks test has a similar diagnostic accuracy compared to brain SPECT for Parkinson's disease diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of TCS combined with the Sniffin' sticks olfactory test (SST-16) for differentiation between idiopathic PD patients and healthy controls compared to that of 99 mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT (TRODAT). METHODS: A cross-sectional study included PD patients diagnosed in accordance with United Kingdom PD Society Brain Bank criteria and a control group of age and sex- matched healthy subjects. All patients were examined by a movement disorder specialist and underwent brain SPECT using TRODAT, TCS examination and SST-16 test. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate cut-off points for TCS, striatal TRODAT binding potentials and SST-16. The area under the ROC curve determined the diagnostic accuracy of the method. RESULTS: Twenty patients with PD (13 males and 7 females) and nine healthy subjects were included. Median age of PD onset was 56.5 years with median disease duration of 5 years. A larger substantia nigra (SN) echogenic area was observed in the PD group (p = 0.013). SN echogenic area cut-off point of 0.22 cm2 was obtained from a ROC curve for PD diagnosis. Considering this cut-off point, TCS diagnostic accuracy was estimated at 79.2% for PD diagnosis. The cut-off value of 0.90 for striatal TRODAT binding was associated with 99% diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of PD. SST-16 values equal or less than 9 points showed an 85.8% diagnostic accuracy for PD diagnosis. Combination of both SST-16 and TCS improved the diagnostic accuracy to 95% for PD diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Combined SST-16 and TCS assessment was indicated as accurate for distinguishing PD patients from healthy controls. The diagnostic accuracy of TCS combined with SST-16 for differentiation between idiopathic PD patients and healthy controls is similar to that of SPECT TRODAT.

Access to rehabilitation after stroke in Brazil (AReA study): multicenter study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Most of the Brazilian population relies on public healthcare and stroke is a major cause of disability in this country of continental dimensions. There is limited information about access to rehabilitation after stroke in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To provide comprehensive information about Access to Rehabilitation After discharge from public hospitals in Brazil (AReA study), up to 6 months after stroke. METHODS: The present study intends to collect information from 17 public health centers in 16 Brazilian cities in the 5 macroregions of the country. Each center will include 36 participants (n = 612). The inclusion criteria are: age ≥ 18 years old; ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, from 6 months to 1 year prior to the interview; admission to a public hospital in the acute phase after stroke; any neurological impairment poststroke; patient or caregiver able to provide informed consent and answer the survey. Patients can only be recruited in public neurology or internal medicine outpatient clinics. Outcomes will be assessed by a standard questionnaire about rehabilitation referrals, the rehabilitation program (current status, duration in months, number of sessions per week) and instructions received. In addition, patients will be asked about preferences for locations of rehabilitation (hospitals, clinics, or at home). TRIAL STATUS: The study is ongoing. Recruitment started on January 31st, 2020 and is planned to continue until June 2022. CONCLUSION: The AReA study will fill a gap in knowledge about access to stroke rehabilitation in the public health system in different Brazilian regions.

ANTECEDENTES: Grande parte da população brasileira depende de saúde pública e o acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é uma das principais causas de incapacidade neste país de dimensões continentais. As informações sobre o acesso à reabilitação após AVC em instalações públicas no Brasil são limitadas. OBJETIVO: Fornecer informações abrangentes sobre o Acesso à Reabilitação pós-AVC (estudo AReA) nos primeiros 6 meses após a alta hospitalar da rede pública. MéTODOS: Serão coletadas informações de 17 centros de saúde públicos em 16 cidades brasileiras das cinco macrorregiões do país. Cada centro incluirá 36 participantes (n = 612). Os critérios de inclusão são: idade ≥ 18 anos; AVC isquêmico ou hemorrágico, com tempo de lesão entre 6 meses e 1 ano; admissão em hospital público na fase aguda; qualquer comprometimento neurológico pós-AVC; paciente ou cuidador capaz de fornecer consentimento informado e responder à pesquisa. Os pacientes só podem ser recrutados em ambulatórios públicos de neurologia ou medicina interna. Os resultados serão avaliados por um questionário padrão sobre encaminhamentos de reabilitação, o programa de reabilitação (estado atual, duração em meses, número de sessões por semana) e instruções recebidas. Além disso, os pacientes serão questionados sobre as preferências de locais de reabilitação (hospitais, clínicas ou casa). STATUS DO ESTUDO: O estudo está em andamento. O recrutamento começou em 31 de janeiro de 2020 e está previsto para continuar até junho de 2022. CONCLUSãO: O estudo AReA preencherá uma lacuna no conhecimento sobre o acesso à reabilitação para AVC no sistema público de saúde em diferentes regiões brasileiras.

Brazilian practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation: Part II.

The Brazilian Practice Guidelines for Stroke Rehabilitation - Part II, developed by the Scientific Department of Neurological Rehabilitation of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology (Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, in Portuguese), focuses on specific rehabilitation techniques to aid recovery from impairment and disability after stroke. As in Part I, Part II is also based on recently available evidence from randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and other guidelines. Part II covers disorders of communication, dysphagia, postural control and balance, ataxias, spasticity, upper limb rehabilitation, gait, cognition, unilateral spatial neglect, sensory impairments, home rehabilitation, medication adherence, palliative care, cerebrovascular events related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the future of stroke rehabilitation, and stroke websites to support patients and caregivers. Our goal is to provide health professionals with more recent knowledge and recommendations for better rehabilitation care after stroke.

As Diretrizes Brasileiras de Reabilitação do Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) - Parte II, desenvolvida pelo Departamento Científico de Reabilitação Neurológica da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia é voltada para intervenções específicas de técnicas de reabilitação de déficits neurológicos e incapacidades. Seguindo o mesmo modelo da Parte I, a Parte II também se baseia em estudos randomizados, revisões sistemáticas, metanálises e outras diretrizes sobre o mesmo tema. A segunda parte aborda os distúrbios da comunicação, disfagia, controle postural e equilíbrio, ataxias, espasticidade, reabilitação do membro superior, marcha, cognição, negligência espacial unilateral, déficits sensoriais, reabilitação domiciliar, aderência ao uso de medicamentos, cuidados paliativos, o futuro da reabilitação no AVC, e websites de orientação sobre AVC para pacientes e cuidadores. Nosso objetivo é fornecer aos profissionais envolvidos na reabilitação conhecimento atualizado e recomendações para um melhor cuidado no pós-AVC.

Brazilian Academy of Neurology practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation: part I.

The Guidelines for Stroke Rehabilitation are the result of a joint effort by the Scientific Department of Neurological Rehabilitation of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology aiming to guide professionals involved in the rehabilitation process to reduce functional disability and increase individual autonomy. Members of the group participated in web discussion forums with predefined themes, followed by videoconference meetings in which issues were discussed, leading to a consensus. These guidelines, divided into two parts, focus on the implications of recent clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses in stroke rehabilitation literature. The main objective was to guide physicians, physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, nutritionists, and other professionals involved in post-stroke care. Recommendations and levels of evidence were adapted according to the currently available literature. Part I discusses topics on rehabilitation in the acute phase, as well as prevention and management of frequent conditions and comorbidities after stroke.

Cut-off points of the Portuguese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for cognitive evaluation in Parkinson's disease.

The Movement Disorder Society has published some recommendations for dementia diagnosis in Parkinson disease (PD), proposing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) as a cognitive screening tool in these patients. However, few studies have been conducted assessing the Portuguese version of this test in Brazil (MOCA-BR). OBJECTIVE: the aim of the present study was to define the cut-off points of the MOCA-BR scale for diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI) and Dementia (PD-D) in patients with PD. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional, analytic field study based on a quantitative approach. Patients were selected after a consecutive assessment by a neurologist, after an extensive cognitive evaluation, and were classified as having normal cognition (PD-N), PD-MCI or PD-D. The MOCA-BR was then applied and 89 patients selected. RESULTS: on the cognitive assessment, 30.3% were PD-N, 41.6% PD-MCI and 28.1% PD-D. The cut-off score on the MOCA-Br to distinguish PD-N from PD-D was 22.50 (95% CI 0.748-0.943) for sensitivity of 85.5% and specificity of 71.1%. The cut-off for distinguishing PD-D from MCI was 17.50 (95% CI 0.758-0.951) for sensitivity of 81.6% and specificity of 76%.

A Movement Disorder Society publicou algumas recomendações para o diagnóstico de demência na doença de Parkinson (DP), propondo o Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) como ferramenta de triagem cognitiva nesses pacientes. Entretanto, poucos estudos foram aplicados à versão em português (MOCA-BR). OBJETIVO: o presente estudo tem o objetivo de definir os valores de corte na escala de MOCA-BR para diagnosticar o Comprometimento Cognitivo Leve (DP-CCL) e Demência (DP-D) em pacientes com DP. MÉTODOS: trata-se de um estudo transversal, analítico, com uma abordagem quantitativa. Os pacientes foram selecionados depois de avaliações consecutivas por um neurologista, após avaliação cognitiva extensa, e foram classificados como cognição normal (DP-N), DP-CCL e DP-D e então o MOCA-BR foi aplicado, sendo selecionados 89 pacientes. RESULTADOS: na avaliação cognitiva, foram encontrados 30.3% de DP-N, 41.6% de DP-CCL e 28.1% DP-D. O valor de corte no MOCA-BR para distinguir entre DP-N de DP-D foi 22.5 (IC 95%; 0.748-0.943), sensibilidade de 85.5% e especificidade de 71.1%. Para distinguir DP-P de CCL, o ponto de corte foi de 17.5 (IC 95%; 0.758-0.951), sensibilidade de 81.6% e especificidade de 76%.

Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Brain Injury: Postoperative TCD Cerebral Hemodynamic Evaluation.

Background: There are no studies describing the cerebral hemodynamic patterns that can occur in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients following decompressive craniectomy (DC). Such data have potentially clinical importance for guiding the treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the postoperative cerebral hemodynamic patterns, using transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography, in patients who underwent DC. The relationship between the cerebral circulatory patterns and the patients' outcome was also analyzed. Methods: Nineteen TBI patients with uncontrolled brain swelling were prospectively studied. Cerebral blood circulation was evaluated by TCD ultrasonography. Patients and their cerebral hemispheres were categorized based on TCD-hemodynamic patterns. The data were correlated with neurological status, midline shift on CT scan, and Glasgow outcome scale scores at 6 months after injury. Results: Different cerebral hemodynamic patterns were observed. One patient (5.3%) presented with cerebral oligoemia, 4 patients (21%) with cerebral hyperemia, and 3 patients (15.8%) with cerebral vasospasm. One patient (5.3%) had hyperemia in one cerebral hemisphere and vasospasm in the other hemisphere. Ten patients (52.6%) had nonspecific circulatory pattern. Abnormal TCD-circulatory patterns were found in 9 patients (47.4%). There was no association between TCD-cerebral hemodynamic findings and outcome. Conclusion: There is a wide heterogeneity of postoperative cerebral hemodynamic findings among TBI patients who underwent DC, including hemodynamic heterogeneity between their cerebral hemispheres. DC was proved to be effective for the treatment of cerebral oligoemia. Our data support the concept of heterogeneous nature of the pathophysiology of the TBI and suggest that DC as the sole treatment modality is insufficient.

Clinical aspects of congenital microcephaly syndrome by Zika virus in a rehabilitation center for patients with microcephaly.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we intend to identify the prevalence of clinical variables in children with microcephaly. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and observational study with data collected from medical records of patients admitted to the microcephaly outpatient clinic of a referral center in Teresina-PI. Demographic (gender and age) and clinical data (presence of epilepsy, dysphagia, irritability, and associated comorbidities) were collected. The frequency of Zika virus as a probable etiology was determined from computed tomography patterns and the exclusion of other etiologies by serological tests. RESULTS: A total of 67 patient records were evaluated, of which 31 were male and 36 were female, with a mean age of 1 year and 10 months. The most prevalent clinical variables were epilepsy, present in 47 children (70.2%), and irritability in 37 (55.2%). Also with a high frequency, 22 had dysphagia (32.8%), and 13 had musculoskeletal comorbidities (19.4%). Only three patients in the sample had cardiac abnormalities (4.5%), and no endocrine comorbidity was found. A total of 38 children in the sample (56.7%) presented ZIKV as a probable etiology and, in these cases, there was a higher frequency of epilepsy and dysphagia compared to other etiologies, although not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Epilepsy, irritability, dysphagia, and musculoskeletal comorbidities were the most frequent clinical variables in children with microcephaly. There was a high prevalence of congenital ZIKV microcephaly syndrome in this sample.

Quantitative transcranial sonography in Wilson's disease and healthy controls: Cut-off values and functional correlates.

To compare transcranial sonography (TCS) findings in patients with predominantly neurological Wilson's disease (WD) to those from controls, and to correlate TCS data with the clinical profile of WD. Patients with WD (n=40/f=18) and healthy, matched controls (n=49/f=20) were assessed in terms of TCS, serum copper and iron parameters, and clinical scales, such as the Unified Wilson's Disease Rating Scale (UWDRS), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Beck Depression Inventory. Lenticular nuclei and substantia nigra echogenic area cut-off values clearly differentiated WD patients from controls (area under the curve: 95.4% and 79.4%). Substantia nigra echogenic area was significantly larger in male than in female patients (p=0.001). Compared with controls, patients showed hyperechogenicity also in thalami and midbrain tegmentum/tectum; third ventricle width was increased and midbrain axial area was reduced. In the WD group, male gender correlated with substantia nigra echogenic area (r=0.515, p=0.0007) and serum ferritin levels (r=0.479, p=0.002); lenticular nuclei hyperechogenicity correlated with dystonia (r=0.326, p=0.04) and dysarthria (r=0.334, p=0.035); third ventricle width correlated with dystonia (r=0.439 p=0.005), dysarthria (r=0.449, p=0.004), parkinsonism (r=0.527, p<0.001), UWDRS neurological and total scores (both r=0.504, p=0.0009), MMSE (r=-0.496, p=0.001), and ACE-R (r=-0.534, p=0.0004). Lenticular nuclei echogenic area allowed highly accurate discrimination between patients and controls. The gender differences in substantia nigra echogenicity and iron metabolism are of interest in further studies in WD. TCS reflects different dimensions of WD pathology clearly differentiable from healthy controls and correlating with various clinical characteristics of WD.

Knowledge of stroke among a Brazilian urban population.

Knowledge of the population in regards to stroke has clinical and epidemiological importance. Prompt identification of the symptoms means efficient medical attendance within the window of therapeutic opportunities reducing significantly the morbidity-mortality. Our aim was to evaluate the level of knowledge of the population of Teresina (PI) concerning factors of risk, symptoms and treatment of stroke. The door-to-door study was carried out by means of a standardized application of questionnaire on risk factors, symptoms and attitude when faced with a stroke victim. 991 forms were selected. Factors of risk more cited were hypertension identified by 416 [42.0%] and hyperlipidemia 284 [28.7%]. The most remembered symptoms were headache 277 [28.0%] and hemiplegia 219 [22.1%]. 375 (37.8%) respondents were unable to identify any risk factors and and 410 (41.4%) any symptom. The lack of knowledge of the population of Teresina in relation to stroke reflects the need for intervention through public and professional educational campaigns.

[Herpes zoster and polyradiculopathy: report of a case]. / Herpes zoster e polineuropatiaperiférica: Relato de um caso.

Polyradiculopathy that develops as a result of herpes zoster is rare. When it does occur, it usually follows the cutaneous eruption. However, we present a case of nerve impairment (motor, sensatory, and autonomic) that occurred prior to the cutaneous herpes zoster eruption.

[Subperiosteal hematoma of the orbit: case report]. / Hematoma subperiosteal de órbita: relato de caso.

We describe a sixteen years old male patient that suffered a craniocerebral trauma and presented at the emergency room, with ocular pain, palpebral hematoma and left eye proptosis. Orbital computed tomography showed left subperiosteal orbital hematoma. A surgical drainage was performed. Subperiosteal hematoma of the orbit is a rare cause of proptosis; its early diagnosis must be made in order to avoid possible complications.

Access to rehabilitation after stroke in Brazil (AReA study): multicenter study protocol / Acesso à reabilitação após o AVC no Brasil (estudo AReA): protocolo de estudo multicêntrico

Abstract Background Most of the Brazilian population relies on public healthcare and stroke is a major cause of disability in this country of continental dimensions. There is limited information about access to rehabilitation after stroke in Brazil. Objective To provide comprehensive information about Access to Rehabilitation After discharge from public hospitals in Brazil (AReA study), up to 6 months after stroke. Methods The present study intends to collect information from 17 public health centers in 16 Brazilian cities in the 5 macroregions of the country. Each center will include 36 participants (n = 612). The inclusion criteria are: age ≥ 18 years old; ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, from 6 months to 1 year prior to the interview; admission to a public hospital in the acute phase after stroke; any neurological impairment poststroke; patient or caregiver able to provide informed consent and answer the survey. Patients can only be recruited in public neurology or internal medicine outpatient clinics. Outcomes will be assessed by a standard questionnaire about rehabilitation referrals, the rehabilitation program (current status, duration in months, number of sessions per week) and instructions received. In addition, patients will be asked about preferences for locations of rehabilitation (hospitals, clinics, or at home). Trial Status The study is ongoing. Recruitment started on January 31st, 2020 and is planned to continue until June 2022. Conclusion The AReA study will fill a gap in knowledge about access to stroke rehabilitation in the public health system in different Brazilian regions.

Resumo Antecedentes Grande parte da população brasileira depende de saúde pública e o acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é uma das principais causas de incapacidade neste país de dimensões continentais. As informações sobre o acesso à reabilitação após AVC em instalações públicas no Brasil são limitadas. Objetivo Fornecer informações abrangentes sobre o Acesso à Reabilitação pós-AVC (estudo AReA) nos primeiros 6 meses após a alta hospitalar da rede pública. Métodos Serão coletadas informações de 17 centros de saúde públicos em 16 cidades brasileiras das cinco macrorregiões do país. Cada centro incluirá 36 participantes (n = 612). Os critérios de inclusão são: idade ≥ 18 anos; AVC isquêmico ou hemorrágico, com tempo de lesão entre 6 meses e 1 ano; admissão em hospital público na fase aguda; qualquer comprometimento neurológico pós-AVC; paciente ou cuidador capaz de fornecer consentimento informado e responder à pesquisa. Os pacientes só podem ser recrutados em ambulatórios públicos de neurologia ou medicina interna. Os resultados serão avaliados por um questionário padrão sobre encaminhamentos de reabilitação, o programa de reabilitação (estado atual, duração em meses, número de sessões por semana) e instruções recebidas. Além disso, os pacientes serão questionados sobre as preferências de locais de reabilitação (hospitais, clínicas ou casa). Status do estudo O estudo está em andamento. O recrutamento começou em 31 de janeiro de 2020 e está previsto para continuar até junho de 2022. Conclusão O estudo AReA preencherá uma lacuna no conhecimento sobre o acesso à reabilitação para AVC no sistema público de saúde em diferentes regiões brasileiras.